Author Topic: what bullets group in .204 (Read 4011 times)

Ron 1 · « **on:** March 09, 2010, 12:21:32 PM »

hello all
first off it is a h&r .204
remington accutip-v 32grain group .1 at 100 yrds
winchester ballistic tip 32 grain 2 in @ 100 yrds
hornady 45grain sp .25 @ 100 yrds this is likely my best choise (not crazy about soft points)
federal premium 39 grain sierra blitzking was lucky to hit a 20 inch pizza box @ 100 tumbling as well
and now the only bullets i can find in my area at this time is 32 grain hornady i got 2 boxs and have not tryed them yet. im hopping that lighter is not all bad as i would like to shoot ballistic tips.
these are all factory loads. i dont reload yet.
do any of you .204 shooters have any other factory loads that group?

thanks rw

lakota · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2010, 03:49:23 PM »

I shoot a CZ 527 Varmint. When I got it I bought Hornady 32 and 40 gr Vmax loadings and got dismal accuracy from both. Those were the only factory loadings I tried.

I started to reload for it and got my best groups with 32gr Sierra Blitz Kings 26.8 grs Bench Mark powder R-P 7 1/2 Benchrest Primers. 32 Gr Nosler Ballistic tips also work good with this load but the Sierras grouped slightly better. These loads will shoot consistent 1/4" 5 shot groups if I do my part.

I also saw good results using 39 grain Blitz Kings and 40 grain Berger points with Varget and BLC-2. dont remember the charges but used R-P benchrest primers. These loads shot consistent 1/2" 5 shot groups for me.

I dont know if others have had the same experience as me but my rifle seemed to require a rather lengthy break in period. It took nearly 300 rounds before the rifle settled in and began shooting good groups. I almost gave up on it and traded it away but one day it just started to shoot well. It was almost like someone threw a switch and turned the accuracy on.

Ron 1 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2010, 01:26:49 AM »

lakota
i hope dismal means at least fair. when the wind and rain stop i plan on trying the 32 grain hornadys. what is the cost roughly to get started reloading? i have 80 rounds threw the .204 if the gun is not broke in i dont understand why the 45 grain hornadys do group so well .25 @100yrds

thanks rw

kansasj · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2010, 02:18:39 AM »

Myself and shooting buddies that have .204s have excellent results with the 32gr v-max factory Hornadys. Several cannot get the 40gr to fly without keyholeing. I am getting consistant 3/4 MOA at 200 yd with the 32 Hornadys and they do an excellent job on yotes.

mrbgt · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2010, 03:07:05 AM »

All I've shot through my handi is the 32 grn. hornady factory ammo , they seem pretty accurate. I'm hopeing to try the 34 hp Midsouth bullets real soon. To start reloading , you can get a Lee kit , they run around $100 and come with everything but the dies and trim length gages . Dies run about $25 and the gages are $4 .

Catfish · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2010, 05:19:01 AM »

I have 3 .204`s. A CZ 527, a Savage and an upper for an AR, and I had and sold an Encore barrel in .204. The 32. gr. Sierra bullet group best in all but the Savage and it likes the 32 Hornady alittle better. The 39 gr Sierra`s shoot well in all of them and the 40 gr. Hornadys stink in all of them. Best groupd with the 40 gr. Hornadys was with the Savage comming in over 1 moa. The 32 gr. Sierras are far to thin skinned for coyote. I have hit 6 coyotes with them and killed none. I knocked 1 down 3 times and it still got away. Sierra bullets have a jacket that is .009 thick and the Hornady jackets are .014 thick makeing them a better choice for coyotes. If you are going to start reloading and know on one it your area to help you get started I would recomand you but an RCBS, Layman or similar starting kit. I also recomand you stay away from any thing LEE. If you don`t load much the Lee stuff will work for a good while, but it just does not hold up like alot of the others.

bobg · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2010, 06:04:59 AM »

I am shooting Winchester 32 gr. factory ammo in my 204. Don't really think i will find a reload that will shoot better. Do the Sierra 32 grain hollow points work ok on ground hogs? I bought a box of them but don't have the dies yet.
bobg

torpedoman · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2010, 04:43:54 PM »

Quote from: kansasj on March 10, 2010, 02:18:39 AM

Myself and shooting buddies that have .204s have excellent results with the 32gr v-max factory Hornadys. Several cannot get the 40gr to fly without keyholeing. I am getting consistant 3/4 MOA at 200 yd with the 32 Hornadys and they do an excellent job on yotes.

+1 with my handi's

Catfish · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:53:21 PM »

All of the .204 bullets work well on groundhogs. I especially like the Sierta`s because if you miss they will not rickochet far and it you hit they usually stay in.

Ron 1 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2010, 01:37:04 AM »

thanks for all the info i still have not got a chance to try the 32 grain hornadys this morning would be a good day to try them but i need (have to )to go to work. duz any one have a rough count on how many rounds it takes to break in a barrel? im at 80 rounds now. have a good day.

rw

kansasj · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2010, 02:44:31 AM »

You should definitely be there. My .204 got happy at about 60-80 rounds and I also noticed hardly any copper fouling after that time. I continued to shoot with a rather heavy trigger until about 140 rounds and then gave in and lightened it to about 2 /12 lbs and what a difference it made in my grouping. The last time I sand bagged it did about 1-1/8" inch at 200 yds. I can live with that!

lakota · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2010, 05:27:00 AM »

With the Hornady Factory loads I was getting 2-2-1/2" groups at 100 yards. Those were the first rounds I fired from the rifle, and all of my handloads also shot poorly until the rifle setlted in so and I havent tried any since so my experience with them may not be fair.

I did buy a box of Hornady 32 grain Vmax bullets for handloading and didnt have a lot of luck with them either.

My rifle definatley likes the Sierras and Berger bullets and since the Sierras have a slight price edge on the Bergers Sierra it is.

Has anyone tried the Calhoun bullets?

gube · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2010, 04:56:12 PM »

I have posted these here before. So here ya go.

35 bergers, 25.5 gr of RL-10X and 26.8 gr of benchmark
40 bergers and 40 V-max, 24.5 gr RL-10X and 25.5 gr of H-4895
39 sierra BK and 40 gr Nosler , 25 gr RL-10X and 27.5 gr of H-4895
32 V-max and 32 gr nosler, 26 gr RL-10X and 27 gr H-322 and Benchmark
26 gr varmint grenade, 26.3 gr RL-10X and 23.3 gr H-4198
45 gr hornady sp, 24.3 gr RL 10X

All of these loads will generally print out 1/2" groups or better out of both of my savage 204's as well as my Tikka 3.
These loads may not work in your gun so REMEMBER to start below these and work your way up at approx .2 to .3 gr at a time.

For yotes your best bet is to use the 35 and 40 gr bergers or the 45 gr Hornady sp's.
Wildcat makes a 38 gr hollow point that should be excellent for yotes as well. I have used them on yotes and they work quite well. They used to be manufactured out here in Alberta, but the business was sold to someone in the states.
http://www.wildcatbullets.com/
Not sure when they will start producing again. Click on his web site amd an E-mail contact will pop up.

The varmint grenades are accurate in all three of my 204's but once they are gone (10 boxes) I won't use them anymore. They have a lousy BC and at 200 yds the 39 gr BK and the 32 gr V-max catches up and royally kicks its butt in trajectory, energy, and wind drift. As far as I'm concerned the 26 VG's are only good up to about 200 yds. After that most of their energy is shed. Under 200 yds explosive action is comparable to the 39 bk's and the 32 gr V-max's. One nice feature I noticed is that the "felt recoil" is noticeably less as compared to the 39 gr BK's allowing me a nice visual through the scope at increased magnification.

The ballistic tips will work for yotes as well, but if you hit bone they may splash and can produce some very large holes. My favorite for prairie doggin and other small critters is the 39 gr sierra BK. Has a high B.C., good mist and lift action, and best of all is the "giggle" factor of seeing your hits through the scope.

There are no factory loadings for bergers or wildcats in Canada. The Hornady SP's are available as factory made bullets and most 204's shoot them okay as their overall length is shorter than the 40 gr V-max.
Ideally you will want to re-load to get the most out of your 204 for accuracy and once you do you'll find it very addictive.
Some real good data here specifically for the 204. Basically gathered up from the 204 ruger web sight and rolled up into one easy document.
http://wrzwaldo.org/reloading/public/204_Ruger_Favorite_Loads.html

Ron 1 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2010, 02:06:48 AM »

Gube
i still have only the 45 gr hornady that will group under 2 in. at 100 yrds .
i have book marked red mist pics. 100-250yrds awsome pics. but the factory federal blitz kings do not group or even fly out of my h and r i am lucky to hit a 20 in. target and if by chance it duz hit it is not a hole it is an ovel(the bullets tumble) i have tryed all factery shells i can find only heavy ones fly good for me. i am thinking i need to try reloads or go back to the 22-250. i have at least 100 rounds thru my .204 i think it should be broke in by now. i will say the 45 gr hornadys are like lazers i can group 4 in a dime i just would like to have more options than just 1 bullet as i do not think i would be able to red mist a praie dog with a 45 gr sp.

rw

Catfish · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2010, 04:31:41 AM »

Ron, If it shoots the 45 gr Hornady`s keep shooting them. If your going to use the .204 on coyote that is one of the better bullets for them. The 32`s, especially the Sierra`s, just don`t have the penitration. I have 3 204`s and wish just 1 of them would shoot the 45 gr. Hornadys.

hotrunner · « **Reply #15 on:** March 28, 2010, 06:22:30 AM »

Agree with Catfish. One of my .204's shoots the 45 grainers quite well; that's gonna be my dedicated coyote rifle, and if a smaller varmint gets in front of it once in a while so much the better.

Ron 1 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 28, 2010, 01:58:44 PM »

i just would like to keep my word as i told neighbors i would be shooting bullistic tip bullet.
i dont want a riccochay the blocks are only 1 mile. i know a lot of trees but i just dont want to chance it.
i did like the results of the poly tips the bullets were gone in 18 in. of crusty snow. kinda cool when the snow melts all the lead and copper on top of the sand pit wall. the 45 sp was 6 in. or so in the sand bank.
i gess that is my concerns. thanks rw

MOGLEY · « **Reply #17 on:** March 29, 2010, 12:03:46 PM »

I ahve a handi in 204 and is now a tack driver BUT it was not always so. I tried everything and was ready to heave it then I tried 26.3 gr of reloader 10 and 32 gr sierra blitzkings. This is THE load the gun likes. 5 shot dime sized groups at 100yards. It did not like the 39 and the exact load used with 32 gr hornady v-max are horrible. I got this to shoot in the bull barrel and have a fluted barrel with thumbhole stock upgrade that shoots the same load just as well. I use reloader 10x in 204,222 and in 17 fireball. Meters well and seems good with temp hot and cold. Good luck. Handis are picky though. 26.0 gr are crap but the 26.3 are great.26.6 worked good to but blew primers = too hot.

sk330lc · « **Reply #18 on:** March 29, 2010, 06:31:46 PM »

Start reloading!! Much fun in it!

Nosler Custom ammo lists a 40gr BT load. could try them not cheap.

http://store.nosler.com/

helotaxi · « **Reply #19 on:** April 20, 2010, 06:47:11 PM »

The 45gn SPs are not your normal heavy game type spire points. They are more like the Sierra Blitz bullets (not Blitzkings) and are meant to disintegrate like a varmint bullet should. Ricochets should not be a problem.

From the time my .204 Handi was new, all factory ammo shot 1.5" or better for 5 shots. Reloads were all sub MOA with 32 and 40 gn Hornadys and Noslers. The Varmint Grenades grouped the worst at around 2".

My development loads for my new .204 AR have all been stellar. Started out playing with the 50gn Bergers (1:9 twist Shilen barrel) and then shot some loads with the 45gn Hornadys. Best group with those and TAC powder was about the size of a dime for a 4 shot group. Shot a pair of 10 shot groups with a middle of the road load of 2520 with 40gn Hornadys (no real development went into them) and one group was just over an inch and the other was just under. These were fired fairly quickly and off a bipod. Front and rear bags or a rest would have tightened them up a good bit I believe.

If you're having trouble getting anything to group, I'd start looking at the rifle or the optics or the optic mount.

Ron 1 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 26, 2010, 07:45:41 PM »

what are the chances of a bad barrel on a h&r.204 and any ideas what it would be? only 100- 120 rounds thru it
rw

mrbgt · « **Reply #21 on:** April 27, 2010, 07:11:15 PM »

I've shot a few groups with the Mid South 34 grn. HP's, 3 shot groups are running about 1'' . I don't think these will ricochet , they are so soft my seating die puts a small ring around the bullet !!

helotaxi · « **Reply #22 on:** April 30, 2010, 08:05:21 PM »

Quote from: RonWillett on April 26, 2010, 07:45:41 PM

what are the chances of a bad barrel on a h&r.204 and any ideas what it would be? only 100- 120 rounds thru it

It's entirely possible. Just about every company has a dog of a barrel sneak out of the factory from time to time.

moorepower · « **Reply #23 on:** July 27, 2010, 09:21:14 AM »

Ron, how many times have you cleaned the barrel? I really don't think the 45 grain is a splat bullet like the SPSX or they would have called it a SPSX. The high velocity 4kfps rounds can lay down some copper on a rough barrel and cause the problems you are having. I would soak it with wipe out or a strong copper solvent, not Hoppes #9 and keep at it with dry patches until there is no green "copper" on the patches.

TLARbb · « **Reply #24 on:** November 21, 2010, 01:53:32 PM »

I haven't handloaded any yet, because I have a good bit of the Federal Premium ammo with the Sierra 39 grain Blitzking in it and it shoots wonderfully in my gun. So much so that I bought 600 of the bullets to load. But, I still haven't loaded any of them. My oldest son (a much steadier hand than mine) has shot a 3/4" group at 320 yards with those factory loads. I hope I can get it to do that with my handloads.

I do have 100 of the 45 grain Hornadys but my suppliers seem to always be out of that bullet. Does Hornady not make enough or is it that popular? I would definitely use it for coyotes if I can get it to shoot. Same situation for the 45 grain Hornady factory ammo; I can't ever get to the party quick enough to get any.

EJ